Defiant Navin gets 55 years

Sentenced in 2015 killing of parents

BRIDGEPORT — Facing a sentence of 55 years for fatally shooting his mother and father, Kyle Navin defiantly told a judge Friday, “I don’t want to be a show pony for the media,” when asked if he had anything to say.

“It’s disgraceful and disgusting, everything from the beginning on my behalf,” Navin added.

His lawyer, Eugene Riccio, later explained that his client’s comments were addressed to the throng of news media that filled the jury box in the courtroom and not a show of a lack of remorse for the crimes which he had pleaded guilty to. “Kyle Navin has always accepted responsibility for his actions and conduct,” Riccio said.

The 29-year-old Navin had pleaded guilty to two counts of murder as the trial was to begin before a 12-member jury for fatally shooting his parents, Jeffrey and Jeannette Navin, on Aug. 4, 2015.

The Navins had operated J and J Refuse, a garbage company in Easton. Kyle Navin, who worked for the company, was a heroin addict and wasn’t taking his job seriously despite the constant complaints of his parents, according to court documents. His parents were going to sell the business and leave him with nothing.

In the morning of Aug. 4, Kyle Navin shot his mother twice in the chest with his .40-caliber handgun as she sat next to him in the garbage truck. A couple of hours later, he shot his father to death with the same gun in his Bridgeport home. The remains of both bodies were found under some debris in a Weston yard two months later.

Friday, Navin sat expressionless at the defense table as first his uncle, his mother’s brother, Tom Baldesi, and then family friend Cheryl Churchill tearfully told Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin that they were still trying to make sense of what happened.

“Our families still can’t comprehend how this young, innocent boy could have done this,” Baldesi said, wiping a tear. “I have been taught we should forgive those who sin against us. I’m sorry your honor, I can’t do that.”

Churchill had several supporters in the back of the courtroom crying as she tearfully told the judge, “These are two people who loved Kyle with every bit of their being, they always spoke of him with love and pride and yet he took their lives violently, mercilessly and without remorse.”

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Corradino told the judge he agreed to enter into a plea bargain in the case to spare the family from having to endure a trial. Navin had initially been charged with two counts of murder under special circumstances which carries a sentence of life in prison without parole.

And while the defense had claimed Navin was a heroin addict, the prosecutor told the judge the crime transcended the issue of drug use.

“This arose out of pure evil intents, of greed driven by gluttonous interests, the defendant took the life of the two people who gave him life,” Corradino said.

In his sentencing remarks, Riccio said there is still much that has not been made public about the reasons Navin killed his parents.

“There were a number of facts and people who bore responsibility, “he told the judge. He would not elaborate.

Asked by Devlin if he had anything to say before the sentence was imposed, Navin said, “Not publicly your honor.”

“This idea of a killing by a child of his parents is exceedingly rare, it cuts against the fundamentals of our human condition, you don’t kill the people who gave life to you,” the judge began. “One can only imagine the horror of Jeannette Navin when her son pulled a gun on her and shot her as she sat next to him.”

The judge paused before adding as Navin rose from his seat and stood before him, “For shooting your father, Jeffrey Navin, 55 years. For shooting your mother, Jeanette Navin, 55 years.” Both sentences were made concurrent for a total of 55 years without parole.

Navin’s girlfriend, Jennifer Valiante, 32, who had been accused of helping Navin plan his parents’ death and clean up after the crime, pleaded guilty in November to conspiracy to commit murder and hindering prosecution in the case. She is to be sentenced to eight years in prison.